South Carolina Rep. Supports H-Prize Act, Hydrogen Lift Trucks

WELLFORD, S.C.—South Carolina Representative Bob Inglis expressed his support of the H-Prize Act at a recent demonstration of a hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered lift truck.

The H-Prize Act, reintroduced by Inglis and Illinois Democrat Dan Lipinksi this year, has been included in the energy bill (H.R. 6) expected to be passed by the House and signed by the President.

The H-Prize would offer million-dollar prizes for technological advancements, prototypes and transformational technologies related to hydrogen energy.

"The time is right for the H-Prize because advances in hydrogen technology are now at a point where the cash awards and incentives of the prize can spark the needed innovative technology," Inglis said.

Inglis made his comments during a demonstration of a hydrogen-powered lift truck at Leigh Fibers, a textile-waste processing company. The two-week trial was part of the Greater Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge.

The lift trucks are equipped with HyPX Fuel Cell Power Packs, manufactured by Hydrogenics (Mississauga, Ontario) and installed by LiftOne (Columbia, S.C.) in electric lift trucks manufactured by Linde Materials Handling (Summerville, S.C.).